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Too Tall Seat issues Too Tall Seat issues
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Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
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  #1  
Old 16 Nov 2008
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Too Tall Seat issues
I'm struggling off road with my 2002 600E, as I can only place one foot at a time on the floor.

I'm too verticaly challenged to get both down together.

It's not a problem most of the time, but when I get stopped on something steep and slippy, where it's hard to get momentum up again, I really struggle, and generaly end up dropping the bike.

Sitting on the bike without a saddle on, makes it just the right size. Now I'm not too fussed about comfort, so I'm planning to cut the seat foam down. (Maybe I'll add a layer of memory foam or something to help).

Looking at the seat base, it's pretty concave, so I'm not sure how much better it will be. As with so many things though, an inch or so will make quite a difference to me.

Anyone had the seat cover off, perhaps to recover it, or to repair? How much foam is there under there?

Thanks in advance for your help.
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  #2  
Old 16 Nov 2008
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Have you adjusted(lowered) the rear shock spring height to it's lowest setting?
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  #3  
Old 16 Nov 2008
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On my Tenere I'm on my tip toes - on my 'normal' XT I'm OK on half to most of my foot.
I'm 5'10" with a 31" inside leg so I'm a bit 'average' in the height dept.

I guess if you want to ride this type of bike you have to understand the 'size' issues - IT'S A BIG BIKE!!!

Don't get me wrong - if you can modify then do it but don't complain when it gets the better of you!!!
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  #4  
Old 17 Nov 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobmech View Post
Have you adjusted(lowered) the rear shock spring height to it's lowest setting?
It's set where I got it, the length of the spring is compressed as little as adjustment allows, which is where (I think) I need it in order to get a reasonable amount of static sag, and a soft enough action for my low weight. I think that this is minimum preload, and so gives me most sag, and lowest height.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

Tenere Tom - When you're a short arse like me, every bike is a BIG BIKE. I've gotten used to hustling BIG BIKES around, and I can do it a lot better than a lot of BIG BLOKES can.

I'm not complaining, I'm just looking to see if I can modify a bike that suits me down to the ground, into a bike that spends less time on the ground!
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Old 17 Nov 2008
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Lowering xt600....
Hi, I am 5'6", and always have problems with the ground being too far away ...when on my bike. However KEDO ( a German Yamaha specialist) do a 35mm lowering kit for xt600s the kit includes a rear lowering link and some front fork tubes and an adjustable side stand (this has to be welded into the original stand). This along with some work on the seat ( when inserting a gel pad) means by the time the bike is loaded I can comfortably get both feet on the ground.I have a kit that I bought and never used, I will accept £120 plus postage. The current price is 190 euros, part number 50223 (the pic on the site shows dog bone links the kit is in fact a y link)

Regards Jimmy
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  #6  
Old 17 Nov 2008
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Hi all.. well , I'm 5'8" and I got no problems getting on my 1990 XT600E... both feet full on the floor... my mom is 5'2"/5'3" and she can only touch with one foot on floor (tip only lol)

I bet you would want to kill me if I said I want a stronger and maybe a higher rear shock which I do want lol

Have fun

Vando
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Old 17 Nov 2008
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Hi Im 5,7 and I have a New Tenere yes its a stretch to the floor, but I am used to tall offroad bikes. My bro has an XT 600 and i find it a great height.

Look at a lowering kit and cutting some padding from the saddle.
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Old 17 Nov 2008
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don't do it
Hi, if you cut the seat foam down you will have a sore arse and short legs. lokk around for an aftermarket seat.
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  #9  
Old 18 Nov 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmy46 View Post
I have a kit that I bought and never used, I will accept £120 plus postage.
Regards Jimmy
I appreciate the offer Jimmy, but I'll have to pass on it at the moment.

Thanks for the ideas, please keep them coming, they're all appreciated.

I was hoping to get maybe just the links and drop the forks an inch in the yokes, and hopefully shave at least an inch off the seat.

Sound do-able?
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Old 19 Nov 2008
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[quote=bacardi23;215653]
("I bet you would want to kill me if I said I want a stronger and maybe a higher rear shock which I do want lol")

Me also! I am embarassed that I CAN get both feet flat on the floor when I am supposedly on a rufty tufty 'dirt' bike. Does anyone still manufacture rear end raising kits for 4PTs?
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  #11  
Old 19 Nov 2008
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[quote=xtorange;215949]
Quote:
Originally Posted by bacardi23 View Post
("I bet you would want to kill me if I said I want a stronger and maybe a higher rear shock which I do want lol")

Me also! I am embarassed that I CAN get both feet flat on the floor when I am supposedly on a rufty tufty 'dirt' bike. Does anyone still manufacture rear end raising kits for 4PTs?
Good grief! Raising kits! You've got to be kidding....
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